Proposals Requested in response to the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2025 for additional residential lands to support accelerated housing delivery

Open for submissions
Submission deadline: Friday December 19, 2025

Clare County Council invite the public, landowners, homebuilders and other interested parties to put forward suggestions for lands that are suitable for zoning for residential use (greenfield and brownfield/infill/regeneration sites) and could meet the objectives of the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Ministerial Guidelines in terms of contributing to the acceleration of housing delivery over the remaining life of the Clare County Development Plan i.e. 2026-2029, or in the long term 2029-2039.

The Ministerial Guidelines on NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements were published on 29th July 2025 (https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/section-28-guidelines-npf-implementation-housing-growth-requirements/) with the aim of updating development plans to reflect the requirements of the Revised National Planning Framework (NPF) and achieving a significant acceleration in housing delivery. The Guidelines provide for an increased annual housing growth requirement for Clare County Council, and an ‘additional provision’ mechanism to support the zoning of additional lands in areas where it can be justified.

In this regard Clare County Council is seeking proposals for lands or sites within towns (with the exception of Shannon which is subject of Shannon Local Area Plan) and villages, as identified in the settlement hierarchy in the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 (but excluding rural sites located in the open countryside) that:

1. align with the strategic objectives for growth as set out in the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029
2. are serviced, due to be serviced or serviceable over the remaining life of the Clare County Development Plan i.e. 2026-2029, or in the long term 2029-2039
3. would contribute to sustainable, compact and sequential patterns of growth
4. would support the development of infill housing, housing on brownfield land or address vacancy and dereliction
5. are located in towns and villages with good social infrastructure and capacity in schools and community facilities.

A submission alone does not guarantee that any land will be included in a potential variation to the County Development Plan to be zoned for residential purposes. All submissions will be considered by the Planning Authority having regard to the proper planning and development of the area. No lands will be zoned purely on foot of this consultation. Lands can only be zoned by way of a formal process to make or vary a development plan.　Any lands that are considered suitable for residential zoning that meet the above criteria to achieve the objectives of the Guidelines, following analysis and assessment by Clare County Council, may come forward as part of a formal variation of the Clare County Development Plan in early 2026.

Residential Zoned Land Tax

Landowners should be aware that any lands zoned for residential use may be liable for an annual Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) based on the value of the site. Landowners are advised to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Residential Zoned Land Tax.　 Further information is available on Clare County Council’s website www.clarecoco.ie.

Invitation to make submissions

Submissions, including supporting information, identifying lands that are suitable for zoning for residential use, that meet the above criteria and that could meet the objectives of the Guidelines in terms of contributing to accelerated housing delivery over the remaining life of the Clare County Development Plan 2026-2029, or in the long-term 2029-2039　are hereby invited from interested parties during the period Friday 21st November 2025 to 19th December 2025 inclusive.

A submission/observation can be submitted by one of the following methods:

• In writing to: NPF Housing Growth-Additional Residential Lands, Planning Department, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare. V95 DXP2
• By email to: devplan@clarecoco.ie. Subject headline should read "NPF Housing Growth-Additional Residential Lands"

In respect of making a submission please note the following:

• Please insert the heading "NPF Housing Growth-Additional Residential Lands" on your submission
• Please make your submission by one medium only i.e. by email or post. This will avoid the duplication of submission reference numbers and will streamline the process.
• Submissions/observations should include your name and may include address, a map (for identification purposes) and, where relevant, details of any organisation, community group or company etc., which you represent. Clare County Council is subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act (as amended) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This processing of your personal data is lawful under Article 6 (1)(e) of the GDPR regulations. The Council’s Data Protection Policy is available on the Council website.
• Please be advised that all submissions received may be published online. You should ensure that no vexatious, libellous or confidential information, including confidential information relating to a third party (in respect of which the third party has not, expressly, or impliedly in the circumstances, consented to its disclosure) is included in your submission. The Planning Authority reserves the right to redact any submission or part thereof that does not comply with this requirement.
• All submissions are subject to the Data Protection Act (as amended) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (as amended) and the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (as amended).

The deadline for receipt of submissions is Friday 19th December 2025. You are encouraged to make your submission well in advance of the closing date. Late submissions will not be accepted.

All submissions received during the period stated above will be taken into consideration as part of the process of identifying additional lands for residential zoning, where required. Lands considered appropriate will be included in any resulting proposed variation to the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029, which will be subject to a period of public consultation.

If you have any queries or require more detail, please contact the Forward Planning Section by email at: forwardplan@clarecoco.ie or by phone at 065-6846407/6846451.

Jason Murphy

Director of Service

Planning, Economic, Rural & Community Development

21st November 2025

Page last updated: 20/11/25

Content managed by: Planning Department

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